The Breakroom in the Time of COVID

There is no doubt that things have changed.  While many of us are lucky enough to be working from home, there are many of us who are still

risking our health going in every day or via a hybrid model a few days a week to get the job done.  Unfortunately, despite the fact that omicron is still present in our lives, many of the safety procedures we began the pandemic with have gone by the wayside due to carelessness, fatigue or at worst, frustration.  Regardless of the reason for slacking, the threat is still there and tearing through offices as quickly as ever.  The best procedures we can take are those that don’t require any additional effort on our part.

 

Before COVID, many of us enjoyed a wide array of breakroom perks, coffee, baskets of pastries, a quiet area where you could complain about Jake from accounting in hushed tones…  We will never get back blowing candles out on a birthday cake, thank goodness, but there are plenty of ways for employees to enjoy breakroom concessions and stay safe in the meantime one we’re particularly excited about is the ToeTap, but first the recommendations…

 

Let’s go over the CDC Recommendations:

 

• Get Vaccinated and stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines – Despite what your uncle says on Facebook, vaccines are the best way to prevent and stop the spread of the virus.  It may not keep you from getting it but it could make it a lot more mild if you do contract it.
• Wear a Mask – This doesn’t need to be said, it’s obvious you’re wearing it or not.  Societal pressure from others may convince you and your staff to wear one in the office but as we get more and more vaccinated our bubble tends to get bigger.  Despite your familiarity with each other you should still be wearing your mask inside the office regardless of vaccination status.
• Stay 6’ Away from Others – With less traffic in the office this might be pretty easy but if you have a large office with more traffic you can also limit the number of people in the breakroom at any given time.  
• Be Alert of Symptoms and Test Often – Anytime you are suspicious, get tested.  Now that most people are vaccinated there are plenty of folks who may test positive who are completely asymptomatic.  Even if you are feeling well, but suspect you’ve come in contact with someone who was positive, get tested.  It could mean the difference between passing it along to others who are more at risk.
• Clean and Disinfect:  Facilities managers are hypervigilant these days disinfecting surfaces with cleaners that would have scared us 3 years ago.  But limiting the touching of shared surfaces is the best way to prevent the spread by touch.
• Wash Hands – Mom was right, you should wash your hands as often as possible with an antibacterial soap.  But more importantly, you should be washing with friction that scrubs off the virus and other germs.

 

Going Above and Beyond with the ToeTap:

Just because COVID has permeated every aspect of our lives, it doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy some of those breakroom benefits.  Even though the CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting shared surfaces, there is nothing better than eliminating those shared surfaces completely.

Along with granola bars and single serve cupcakes, we can still enjoy cold brew coffee, cold brew tea, kombucha and beer, anything that is served via a kegerator safely.  Our product, the ToeTap, allows for the hands-free serving of draft beverages out of nearly any kegerator.  Rather than using the shared surface of the tap handle, cold brew for example is dispensed via a foot pedal located at the bottom of the kegerator.  Your hand never touches the handle and eliminates that shared surface everyone and their brother would normally have their grubby mits all over.

For more info on this or other information on COVID safety in the workplace, drop us a line at [email protected] or [email protected]

 

Cheers, 

 

A